Fodor's may use your e-mail address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full Privacy Policy.

How to save in travel cost in Perth, Melborne and Sydney

I and my son are now set to go to Australia on 13th of this month. We will be 4-5 days each in Perth, Melborne and Sydney. I request all Fordorites to give suggestions on saving travel cost within these cities. I suppose Perth and Melborne have free trams and good offer on weekly passes. We are staying in Perth at Wellington street (arriving at Perth Intl.Airport), in Melborne at Flinders street (Arr. at Mel Tullamarine), and in Sydney at Wooloomooloo area (Arr. at Sydney airport). Are there any special fares to Students?

How far out do you want to venture while staying in Sydney? You can walk to lots of places from there, through the Domain to Circular Quay (a lovely walk), or up into the CBD or to Kings Cross, no problem. But for more bus trips look at www.sydneybuses.info/tickets/tickets.htm, and for combinations of ferries (recommended - just for the fun of it even if you turn right around and get back to Circular Quay!) and trains, then look at the MyMulti tickets that you can tailor to your needs: www.sydneybuses.info/tickets/tickets.htm#MyMulti

I usually buy the MyMulti3 for a week, you probably won't need to go farther than it allows, but maybe a lesser one will do it for you? Depends on your plans.

There is an extra charge for trains taken at the airport - for the two of you a taxi from the airport is probably the best option, it's not far and saves you a lot of hassle.

In Perth, there is a free bus that takes you on a loop through the CBD (central business district), which I believe is called the CAT. If you go on one of the walking tours which leave from a kiosk in the CBD they will introduce you to it. Can't remember if there was a charge for the tour itself, but I don't think so. I think the museum is free and very worthwhile. Kings Park is also free and gives a wonderful view over the city. Guided tours there as well.

On the waterfront near the Bell tower there is an upstairs Indian restaurant (vegetarian) which serves great food on a 'pay what you can' basis.

In Sydney, you have a choice of a couple of walking tours that ask for tips only. Easily found on Google. I also recommend the multi pass for transportation, and if you get the MyMulti3 you can get to the Blue Mountains by train, walk to the best viewpoints, and visit the aboriginal centre for free.

Other than the aforementioned walking tour, Don't Tip! Minimum wage in Australia is high by North American standards (hence the high prices for restaurant meals, etc) and tips are neither needed or expected. Also, taxes are included in the quoted prices, so although costs seem high, there are no add ons.

Melbourne use myki cards for transport (trams, trains, buses). You can top up with dollars which is used as you travel or buy a myki pass (e.g. a week). A single trip is valid for 2hrs from the next o'clock (e.g. start travel at 10:05am, ticket expires 13:00). If you take a second trip in the same zone (or if your journey starts after 18:00), all subsequent travel for the day is free. A flat rate of about $3.50 applies for unlimited travel in all zones on Saturdays and Sundays, I think. Check the myki website for details about age limits and student discounts. We buy our kids an annual pass so I'm not sure.

Skybus is the best way to get from Tullamarine airport to the city (and cheaper if you buy a return). It arrives at Southern Cross Station and from there you can walk or take a train or tram to Flinders Street. There is also a local bus if you're really strapped for cash but you'd need to look into it at ptv.vic.gov.au.

btw we do tip but perhaps not as generously or as often as Americans. I would guess maybe 5-10% at nice restaurants or cafes when the service has been good. It is definitely not compulsory and often not expected. Tips are not generally offered for other services (e.g. taxis).

I would, however, disagree with the advice about tipping. We do not tip. Period. End of discussion. There is simply no reason to tip. Restaurant employees are paid a decent wage and there is simply no reason to tip them. The level of their wages (especially "penalty rates" imposed on weekends and public holidays) is one of the reasons you may find restaurant prices to be eye-wateringly expensive. There are lots of other reasons for it as well but there is no need to feel obliged to supplement their wages by tipping. As dreamon says, tips are not generally offered for other services and there is no logical reason for that to be any different in cafés or restaurants.

Melbourne has the free City Circle tram. It's the only one that is free, for the other 'normal' trams you must have a Myki ticket and tap on when entering and exiting the tram. The City Circle tram gets very crowded, it's a maroon colour and is the old-fashioned style of tram. Don't get on a normal tram without a ticket as you risk a fine.

I don't think there are discounts for international students, the student union was trying to tackle this gross inequality but I don't think there was a resolution. Most universities provide discounted tickets directly to students enrolled in their institution but you can't get them directly from the transport authorities.